CHEAP eco-friendly alternatives to pesticides are much needed and greatly to be encouraged. I asked Gareth Thomas, junior minister for international development, for his views on recent biopesticide research at the University of Greenwich (快猫短视频, 13 December 2003, p 12). Its aim is to control plagues of the African army worm caterpillar in countries such as Tanzania through the use of nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs).
Thomas replied that the UK is actively engaged on NPV research, to the tune of 拢1 million so far, with countries such as Thailand, India and Kenya as its partners. The lead organisation on biopesticide research is the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich. Internationally, research is focused on low-cost NPV insecticides, especially those being produced in Brazil, with the financial support from the US government. Trials due to start soon in Tanzania will be crucial for demonstrating the economic feasibility of using NPV technology to control the country鈥檚 army worm pests.
Besides research into effective strains and formulations of NPVs, the Department for International Development funds work on ways of delivering the viruses and national policies to enable farmers to get access to them. Kenya, meanwhile, is developing biopesticide registration protocols so the horticultural sector鈥檚 exports can meet limits on pesticide residues set by the European Union. Kenya should be able to register and produce an NPV product commercially by late 2004. If successful, it will help smallholder farmers in the supply chain and open up new job opportunities in units producing the NPVs, the minister said.
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ALONG with many other MPs I hope the public consultation phase of the government鈥檚 2002 white paper reviewing radioactive waste management, which comes to an end on 27 February, draws a strong public response.
Rightly, the government concludes that its policies on decommissioning nuclear industry plant and managing radioactive waste need updating in the light of the latest developments in decommissioning theory and practice. The Office of Civil Nuclear Security is well aware of the conflict between a desire for confidentiality and the benefits of openness in building up public confidence and not causing alarm. It claims to apply a proportional, consistent and targeted approach to security.
The policies and regulatory processes involved in dealing with nuclear waste need to be as transparent as possible, providing sensitive information on possible threats of sabotage or terrorism, and the sort of countermeasures that may be required. Understandably, all security plans have to be cleared by the Home Office in advance.
Anyone concerned with aspects of decommissioning nuclear power stations should contact Jeff Hoare at the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit, Department of Trade and Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET.
